WEEK #42 - Lights Out Bikes Out

This week was sweeeeeet.

My mother gave me a challenge this week to really "qualify" for the gift of charity. Being charitable it is not just doing small acts of service but truly changing thoughts, showing initiated interest, and not assuming our way is better than theirs. I was really put to the test this week, but my faith increased in the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and only through Him can I achieve this gift of charity! Thanks mom for the challenge, I encourage you all to find one person this next week to really have greater charity towards! I promise you will have greater understandingtanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and a greater ability to show forth an increase of love to all!

Me Elder Bennion doing comp study at the end of a river. 

District Meeting went really well. It was on revelation! The Miri 3 sisters gave that training. They asked two questions: How do you receive  revelation? How do you know when you've received revelation? Then they did a really cool activity. They said that this week was the last week of the transfer, and asked what our goals were. Some said to have 5 investigators at church on Sunday, others said to have 3 progressing investigators. Sister Bithell then prayed for the district specifically for each of these goals. Afterwards, we wrote down the impressions that came to our minds. It was really cool because that revelation came instantly! It was so fast! I know the Lord is at the head of this District, let alone the church!

This is a scripture in Isaiah talking about keeping the sabbath day holy - in MALAY!

I had to go to the doctors after district meeting to see if I had fungus on my toe (sorry everyone). Turns out I didn't. Just really bad ingrown toe nails! :D

Me showering fully clothes because everything was dirty anyway. 

On Wednesday the Zone Leaders had a challenge to the zone to invite 155 souls unto Christ! When we were contacting, if we invited them to learn it meant we invited them unto Christ! The challenge ended at 9:30 because that is when we need to get back home. Well, it was 9:24 and there were still 7 people to invite unto Christ. We went crazy! We biked around town and found anything that looked human. (Sometimes we tried with the dogs. They weren't too interested). At 9:25 we were able to hit the 150 mark! Talk about stressful!!! It was a cool experience because that goal was completely inspired and we really needed faith to achieve it! For the goals you make for yourself, have faith that God is working harder than you are on your righteous goals haha.

This week we made a greater effort to involve fruits into our diet! After weekly planning we pulled out a pineapple out of the fridge. It was delicious. Very hard to cut though...

the pineapple we ate for lunch

Also, we had some fresh coconuts!! We were going to sit at this bench, and a guy was sitting there cutting coconuts. When he saw us he immediedly started hacking at the coconuts and gave us both of them! We then got to cut down some coconuts from his tree. We used this really long shaft to do it. Now I understand why people would get hurt if a coconut fell on their head.

me drinking cocunut and chopping it down

We had a really cool miracle with one of our PIs named Louis. We kept calling and calling, but there was no response. So we decided to just delete his contact. While Elder Bennion was calling one of his PIs from Miri 1 area, we here in the background, "Elder!" Turns out it was Louis!! He said he had a new phone and wanted to meet. We met with him this week and he has a sincere desire to find the truth way!

Friday was the "English Fast Day." Every week we don't speak a word of English for one day! It is always tough, but really worth it too!

Breaking news everyone!! Last Saturday was the FIRST time on my mission where we had an actual planned service activity. Because there are no charity programs in East Malaysia, it is hard to do service. So, we normally go through members! We helped Brother Alexson build his house. He lives really really far away from the Church. It was fun to do service in Malaysia!

me on top of wood roof is building his house

After the service project we came back to Pujut (where we live). I looked inside my bag, and my bike lights were gone! I might've misplaced them or someone stole them. I kinda forgot about it for a day. One day we were riding past some shops and a shop owner flagged us down. We went to him, and he brought out a Book of Mormon and my bike lights!! It was definitely a Miracle! One of them was missing, but they have security cameras, so they will probably find it sometime. God watches out for us, even in the little things!

Me with bike on the bridge to Brother Alexsons house to do service

The Sabbath day is so important! The way we treat Sunday is an expression of our love for the Savior. Ask yourself, is what I'm doing helping my faith grow in Jesus Christ? If not, maybe turn off the phone, or go spend time with your family :) Preparing for the sacrament is also an important part of the Sabbath day. Here are 4 questions that you can ponder about before taking the sacrament. Wait and listen for revelation during that sacred time :)

How's everyone else's week doing? Don't be shy to share! Love ya'll, see you next week!

Love you all!